Sunday
Woke up at 9:00 AM. Went skiing in the bay next to Talaga which had many _____ and was rough. Returned at 1:30 PM. Mass, Lunch, Rest and Meditation at 3:30 PM.
Visited the beach house at 5:00 PM.
Am now reading The Revolution and the Civil War in Spain by Pierre Broué and Emile Temime.
That a civil war followed the General’s Revolution was due to the strong communist organization supported by the socialists who finally joined up with them—and the support by Russia of the “Republicans”—although [Francisco] Franco’s Falangists or “Nationalists” were supported by Germany and Italy.
The book works out how much against their wish the Communists by their predilection to violence created the need for the “General’s Revolution” and again constituted the final opposition to the Revolution.
This should be a lesson to us.
In the conference which I held with the “originals” (with Col. [Mamerto Bocanegra], the J-3 [Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations] and Gen. [Antonio] Tamayo, Chief of Logistics included) at 4:30 PM, Saturday April 14th, I informed them:
That I had written a Political Testament which I directed them to follow, indicating the successor to use in case of my death or disability; that this was necessary in view of the fact that even now there was rivalry among various leaders; that it was necessary to continue our policies even if I should not be capable or around to lead, otherwise our constitutional revolution would ultimately fail; that even Alexander’s empire had broken up because he had failed to appoint a successor and on his death had when queried had merely said, “To the strongest” belongs his empire; and that I assessed the various personalities aspiring for leadership.
There was need to renew our pledge to our commitment because there is an apparent weakening of the elements of our revolution. A corruption and loss of ideals has set in. this is a repetition of my warnings specially to PC [Philippine Constabulary[ Chief, Gen. [Fidel] Ramos. He called a command conference
Example: Extortion by PC in Surigao del Sur by Georgia Pacific. Thus the CG [Commanding General] of Metrocom [Metropolitan Command], Gen. Alfredo Montoya is reported openly and publicly embracing and kissing an Australian blonde in the golf links of Wack Wack while his security man running beside his golf cart where he and his lady love were riding and a helicopter above came to a landing thereby publicly calling attention to the indiscretion. This was supposed to have taken place a month ago and was confirmed by Bert [Roberto] Sabido, an eyewitness, and Miniong [Herminio] Disini.
The critique of the Mindanao, Sulu operations. It involves a change from small unit deep penetration operations to larger unit employment and inter service coordination specially air and navy.
Our policies—
We should allow the rebels to continue the mistake of trying to hold ground thus lose their mobility.
The rebels should be lured to fight a conventional war and concentrate forces so they can be hit by all service as a profitable target.
The government plan is to concentrate forces (actually 5 to 7 battalions) in each province in the order of priority and liquidate the rebellion in that order.
In the meantime we should not be lured to fight a war of attrition or to send out small patrols as we did in Luzon.
Even Sulu has to wait. For the order of priority is 1. Cotabato 2. Basilan 3. Zamboanga Sur if it has deteriorated 4. Sulu.
In the meantime, our forces in Sulu must contain the enemy and keep it occupied or off-balance.
The three battalions now in Basilan should be sufficient to finish the campaign there.
I have noticed a tendency of the officers and men to utilize the tactics they learned in Luzon almost invariably even when meeting a massed enemy in a set-piece conventional situation. This has resulted in casualties if not total liquidation of small squad-strength units.
8:15 PM April 16, 1973[1]
After dinner and meditation Monday
on board the 777
at Talaga Bay
While meditations and prayers seem routine and a poor concession to religion or the church I find them conducive to the humility that gives a new—ever new—perspective.
For my part while in everyday life I do seek the Godly point of view, the perspective is all the more refreshing.
And the over view of life as well as the conversation with God set firmer guidelines that may have escaped attention.
Solutions of intractable problems seem simple.
One of my advisers wrote to me of spiritual retreats that I should not be in the company of my subordinates. I must tell him when I seen him that one cannot call God a subordinate! For that is the company I keep.
Cyrus L. Salzburger in in the New York Times and the International Herald Tribune writes in his column about “Another Strong Man in Asia.” For once we are reported about our reforms—“he has hauled the Philippines out of stagnation.” Quite favorable. More then any I have heard so far.
I attach the April 11th edition of the Herald Tribune in which the writing appears.
Some of the advisers of Pres. [Richard] Nixon who have talked to Gov. Benjamin Romualdez have reported that Pres. Nixon has wryly commented that if martial law could bring about laudable effects seen in the Philippines, then it is needed in the U.S.
The military report favourable results of clearing operations in Cotabato and Basilan although there is no report on the threat to Jolo by an enemy concentration 2 kilometers from that town.
The Goodrich plantation in Basilan has been recovered.
I attach reports.
Anaconda Co. has a new non-pollution chemical process of drawing out copper from the ore. Many U.S. copper producers including Anaconda Co. itself (in Montana) are faced with the stiff pollution laws in Western mining states to control the heavy sulphur dioxide emissions from heat-process smelters. The Anaconda process uses an ammonia-based “leach” that does not produce any air polluting emissions.
Before I allow the establishment of any copper smelter by Lepanto or Atlas, I must look into the Anaconda process and the problem of pollution.
Then I must look into the possibility of making the Philippines a tax haven for foreign corporations like Luxembourg.
1:00 AM April 17, 1973[2]
April 18th Tuesday
Retreat was terminated at 2:00 PM after mass and meditation before that. All others except Sec. [Clemente] Gatmaitan, Com. [Faustino] Sychangco, Ricky Cu-Unjieng and Father Roque J. Ferriols, SJ our retreat master left for Manila by hydrofoil.
We are now on our way to Poro Point after water skiing up to 5:00 PM. We should be at Poro by 6:30 AM. Imelda is to meet us there. We go to Agoo possibly for lunch after water skiing.
Am finding the interesting book of [Walt Whitman] Rostow, Diffusion of Power, an analysis of “the interplay of American life and the nation’s performance in the world scene”—up to 1972 from 1958—[Dwight D.] Eisenhower, [John F.] Kennedy, [Lyndon B.] Johnson, [Richard] Nixon.
I have finished John Paton Davies Jr.’s Dragon by the Tail whose thesis is U.S. sentimentality towards Chiang’s [Kai Shek] China lost the U.S. Mao’s [Zedong] China, and led to the illusions about Vietnam and Indo China.
He is friendly to Mao and Chou En Lai. He believes in balance of power.
Written in Baguio Mansion April 18, 1973[3]
at 5:30 PM, April 19th Wednesday
while waiting for visitors
Arrived at San Fernando pier at about 6:30 AM but due to having slept at 2:00 AM from finishing the book of John Paton Davies Jr. on China, I woke up at 8:30 AM.
Waited for Imelda at the Poro Resthouse up to 9:30 AM. Imelda is gratified about the cleanliness and beautification campaign. Flower or plant boxes in the main highway from Baguio or the Naguillian Road and the national highway in La Union. People put flowers on the flower pots and white washed the fences.
Skied at the northern part of the beach where the water was calm compared to Poro Point—up to about 3:00 PM. Abdominal pains from eating yoghurt on an empty stomach in the water at 12:30 AM [sic].
Arrived Agoo where Imelda had gone ahead and lunch at 4:00 PM.
Meeting with the leaders.
Flood control dikes and irrigation systems in Eastern Pangasinan and Tarlac not yet repaired.
Baguio by car (5:15-7:30 PM) through Nagilian so I could see the beautification campaign and repairs of the road.
[1] Official Gazette for April 16, 1973: THE PRESIDENT has organized a land reform council to further hasten the transfer of land ownership to tenant-farmers. The council, with the President himself as chairman, is also aimed at protecting the present system of small land ownership that has developed ever the years through thrift of the small workers who put their savings in land. With the creation of the Land Reform Council, the President intends to resolve faster whatever problems are still existing concerning the implementation of the land reform program. BUREAU OF LANDS announced that its regional oilier throughout the country have been authorized to approve survey maps and plans. The directive took effect April 4. Licensed private geodetic engineers may also submit to the regional land officers all isolation surveys for the necessary verification and approval. Acting Director Ramon S. Casanova listed the following lands offices authorized to approve survey maps: Region I—San Fernando, La Union; Region II—Tuguegarao, Cagayan; Region III—San Fernando, Pampanga; Region IV— Manila; Region V—Legaspi City; Region VI—Iloilo City; Region VII— Cebu City; Region VIII—Tacloban City; Region IX—Zamboanga City; Region X—Cagayan de Oro City and Region XI—Davao City. THE PRESIDENT called on the country’s unresponsive leaders and bureaucrats to reform themselves, reexamine their values and gear their efforts to conform to the goals of the New Society. In a speech read for him by Philippine National Bank Director Renato Tayag during the 55th anniversary and reunion of the Upsilon Sigma Phi Fraternity of the University of the Philippines at the Hyatt Regency Hotel, the Chief Executive said these unresponsive leaders may have interest identified and vitally tied up with the corruption, the “palakasan system”, the injustices and the excesses of the old order. The Chief Executive added that he is giving these people enough time to mend their ways and to commit themselves to the new program of the government.
[2] Official Gazette for April 17, 1973: THE PRESIDENT has promulgated Presidential Decree No. 175, granting cooperatives the rights and privileges enjoyed by business organizations, including the operation of enterprises and rural banks. The decree also provides for a cooperative development loan fund and the extension of preferential rights to cooperatives in the supply of prime commodities like cereals and agricultural products to government agencies. The decree is envisioned to strengthen the cooperative movement to effect an increase in the income and purchasing power of the low income sector of the population, thereby attaining the administration’s goal for the equitable distribution of the country’s wealth. SECRETARY OF INFORMATION Francisco S. Tatad said the Government does not intend to transform the people into automatons. Mr. Tatad made the statement to allay fears that the call for the immersion of the individuals in the building of the nation may rob the people of their individuality and transform them into robots or automatons. Speaking during the 23rd commencement exercises at the University of Baguio, the information secretary said that, although the Government seeks to inculcate discipline it does not seek to have a society where individual initiative is discouraged. He stressed that it is the wealth of the spirit that creates equality of life. DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN Affairs has warned Filipinos seeking foreign employment of the illegal operations of job placement agencies based” in the United Kingdom and the United States. The DFA said the Philippine Embassy in London was apprised by the British foreign office of the inadvisability of remitting money to the agencies by Filipino job seekers. The Philippine London embassy reported having received numerous letters from Filipino job seekers regarding the reliability of certain job placement agencies in UK which assure “summer employment” and placement assistance. The DFA said such “assistance” usually rendered is merely a list of jobs and perhaps hints about application procedures, which are virtually useless. BUREAU OF INTERNAL Revenue has so far collected P639,976,309 through tax amnesty decrees as of 6 p.m. of April 16, according to internal Revenue Commissioner Misael P. Vera. The latest figures showed that 137,579 individuals and corporate income taxpayers have availed of the provisions of Presidential Decree No. 23 granting a 10 per cent amnesty on previously undeclared income or wealth, while 24,402 have so far availed themselves of Presidential Decree No. 157 granting the same immunities and benefits afforded to taxpayers for taxable year 1972 who availed of Presidential Decree No. 23. DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE reiterated the Government’s policy to protect local manufacturers from injurious competition posed by imported items, when it reaffirmed a previous decision imposing a dumping duty on Japanese electrical resistance welded pipes. The department’s action followed a motion for reconsideration filed by the P. I. Hardware and Mill Supply in connection with a decision of Finance Secretary Cesar E. A. Virata imposing a dumping duty on the imported pipes. In denying the motion for reconsideration, Secretary Virata said there are no new justifiable reasons to warrant the modification of or departure from the decision in Dumping Case No. 70-3. According to an investigation conducted by the Tariff Commission, locally manufactured welded pipes can serve the same purposes as the electric resistance welded steel pipes imported from Japan. YOUTH VOLUNTEERS who will go to the countryside for their summer civic action workcamps will initially concern themselves with the beautification, health and sanitation, reforestation, literacy and citizenship training and environmental planning. This was announced by the Department of Education and Culture and the National Youth Volunteer Coordinating Center for National Development with the issuance of guidelines and outlines of programs for the summer workcamps. The first wave of Youth Civic Action Program participants will get their assignments from local youth centers which will be established in every school that will determine the respective areas for the participating students. The civic action program will focus mi the adopt-barrio-concept wherein each school youth center pick a particular barrio or area to develop. DANGEROUS DRUGS Board announced the guidelines in the procurement and purchase of dangerous drugs. The following procedures must be followed: 1) File application form with the DDB 2) Attach the following to application form; a) Copy of registration certificate issued by the board of medical examiner or in the lieu thereof the official receipt of the registrar or certificate, b) Copy of opium license. c) Privilege receipt to practice under the dangerous drug. Prescription forms may be obtained at the DDB office at the Bureau of Quarantine, Port Area, or at the different regional health offices under the Department of Health.
[3] Official Gazette for April 18, 1973: THE PRESIDENT said he may issue a presidential decree providing for the creation of new departments under the Government’s reorganization plan to ease the functions of oversized governmental entities. The. President made the announcement after lie embarked from the RPS Ang Pangulo at the Philippine Navy base in Poro Point, San Fernando, La Union. The President said he is presently studying the creation of additional departments on tourism, public highways, industry, natural resources and housing settlement. The new departments are considered vital in the administration’s program to develop the nation’s economy. THE FIRST LADY congratulated city officials and residents of Baguio City for the successful cleanliness and beautification campaign in the city that has impressed the First Lady. She observed that the last time she and the President were in the Pines City some three weeks ago, they were disappointed over the lack of improvement in Baguio despite the general cleaning and beautification activities all over the country. As a result, the President instructed former Rep. Jose D. Aspiras, now a presidential trouble-shooter, to stay behind to oversee the implementation of the beautification drive. After the First Couple enplaned for Manila, Mr. Aspiras met with Baguio City Mayor Luis Lardizabal and other city officials, barrio captains and representatives of local civic organizations. In a short while, streets and sidewalks were scrubbed, fences and lamp posts painted and flower pots dotted the city. BUREAU OF PUBLIC HIGHWAYS reported its accomplishments since the imposition of Martial Law, including the construction of 24,327 kilometers of roads and 35,541 meters of bridges all over the country. Highways Commissioner Baltazar Aquino said the BPH has completed 48 kilometers of concrete roads and 50 meters of permanent bridges in Central Luzon and Metropolitan Manila after the devastating floods last year. The highways bureau has also repaired 11 kms. of concrete roads, 1,354 kms. of asphalt roads, 1,082 kms. of gravel roads and 3,173 meters of bridges in Central Luzon and the Greater Manila area. From Sept. 30, 1972, to Feb. 28, 1973, the BPH also reported that it has accelerated work on the Japan-Philippine Highway where 189 kilometers were paved, 183 kms. were concreted and six kms. asphalted. Massive road and bridge repair works were launched by the BPH floods had inundated the majority of the country’s highways and bridges. OPERATION PALAGAD ’73, the second rice crops program ending this month, has improved the credit extension system with more rural banks participating in rice production efforts, according to the Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources. DANR Secretary Arturo R. Tanco Jr. said that a total of P24 million has already been released to rural bank in Central Luzon, Laguna and Rizal. Secretary Tanco added that the credit extension system will be streamlined further for the national Masagana 99 production program starting May. The production-marketing tie-up phase of the Palagad program began in the middle of April when farmer-cooperators involved were expected to start depositing their harvests to the National Grains Authority warehouses. Each cooperating farmer will be guaranteed a minimum price support of P25 per cavan of palay produced and sold under this program. Next month, farmers who participated in this program will receive the payments for their produce after the warehousemen have deducted their loans from the rural banks. They will thus be eligible again for another loan. BUREAU OF PUBLIC Highways will embark on a roadside beautification drive along national highways to further boost the tourism program of the Government. Code named “Operation Complete Highway”, the plan involved the building of roadside parks, complete with all the essential facilities that would bring comfort to travelers like rest rooms, refreshment stands and gasoline stations. Highways Commissioner Baltazar Aquino said that flower boxes with a distance of 2 and 1/2 meters in between will take the place of guardrails on both sides of the highway especially on approaches to permanent bridges to avoid road erosion’ In the meantime, Commissioner Aquino directed all district engineers to submit a list of local potential tourist spots that could be developed also for inclusion in the program for fiscal year 1973-1974. AGRICULTURAL CREDIT Administration has collected a total of P4.4 million last March—the highest amount collected by ACA in many years. The agency’s collection last month surpassed by P2,002,120, or 85 per cent the figures for the same month last year which was P2,363,261. From September 23 to February, the ACA also registered substantial increases in its collection. THE PHILIPPINES has increased its exports to Canada by 91 per cent thus reducing the trade imbalance with that country by 47.25 per cent. This was contained in an official report submitted to the President by the Department of Trade and Tourism. The DTT report said Philippine exports to Canada amounted to $11.85 million in 1972 from $6.2 million the previous year. Because of this increase, Philippine trade imbalance with Canada was reduced from $33.1 million to $17.46 million last year. BUREAU OF FOREST Development officials and employees were ordered to refrain from frequenting amusement centers like night clubs, classy restaurants, cockpits, race tracks and other places of gambling. The order, issued by BFD Director Jose Viado, also warned the same officials and employees that they will be dealt with severely if found fraternizing with loggers and other forest users. Director Viado said any one found violating the order will be dismissed from the service. His action was spurred by the President’s disclosure of a report on the alleged extortion activities of certain forestry officials in Surigao del Sur and Davao del Norte. The President ordered the arrest and detention of the suspects. BOARD OF EXAMINERS of the Civil Service Commission announced that the board examination for dietitians has been reset to May 26, 29 and 31. Acting Civil Service Commissioner Epi Rey Pangramuyen said the dietitian examination, originally set for May 2, 4 and 7, was re-scheduled on the request of the Department of Public Information.